Laney R4 Combo Review

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Laney R4 Combo
3.2 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.2 out of 5

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justinallsop's Review of Laney R4 Combo Amplifier

18th May 2005

Overall Rating

4 stars
  • Value for money
    4.5 stars
  • Appearance
    3 stars
  • Sound Quality
    4.5 stars
  • Reviewer's Musical Standard
    Intermediate
Good Points

Big Sound, Full equaliser function, 300W plus option to add another cab, Loud!!!!


Bad Points

No rock back position, only just fits in the boot of my car. Doesn't look any different to any other amp I know.


General Comments

Laney R4 Combo: I've been looking for a new amp after the old (20 years) Laney packed in at work. It only gave 80 watts, and so the search started. Price ceiling was £400. Looked all over the net for a big sound amp for gigs of 200-400 people, and the same couple of names turned up Hartke and Laney. Hartke were knocked out in the first round cos the prices started at £350 just for the cab, and another £450 plus for a good amp. That left the Laney. After a long search I was left with the R4 and the R5. On paper the kit is the same, but with one change. The R4 has one big 15" speaker and the R5 has 2 10" cones. Finally managed to get one locally, (thanks TMC) for £340. Thats only £1.13 per watt folks! Got it home and plugged in my Yamaha RBX374.

Even at low volume ranges, the amp delivers a sweet sound that can be shaped using the equaliser and various controls to make a punchy sound right through to the rumble of heavy rock. To be honest I'm still experimenting with sound shapes and am trying to create a sound field pattern to match to different bass playing techniques etc.

When cranked up, then the beast is unleashed and the walls rattle in my house. The floors sing with its tone and people down the street have to reset their car alarms.

Sound clarity is not lost, even at (nearly) full volume, and using it brings a big smile to my face.

My only gripe is that all amps look the same, and I'd have liked to have been able to buy something a bit different to look at too. I might take off the front grille and respray it silver to contrast the black cab, and cone. It'll also match my bass which adds something I suppose.

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Members' Comments onjustinallsop's Review

  • SwiftBassLine Rank: Lance Corporal on 17th May 2006

    People looking to buy an R4 should shop around. I eventually got mine for £260. Prices seem random at best. Make sure you get the best deal.